• European Commission's Representative in Russia supports integration of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States
• Government will not review the draft amendments to the Law on Higher Education Establishments

The Representative of the European Commission in Russia Mark Franko considers that problems of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia are about to be solved. “As far as I know, the number of non-citizens decreases. It shows that integration goes on and we support it,” said Mark Franko.

The Representative of the European Commission in Russia Mark Franko considers that problems of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia are about to be solved. As far as I know, the number of non-citizens decreases. It shows that integration goes on and we support it, said Mark Franko. Vesti Segodnya

The government will not review the draft amendments to the Law on Higher Education Establishments. The draft amendments would provide that Latvian is the only official language of instruction in private universities. The deputy of the Harmony Center Boris Cilevich stated that if the draft amendments were approved they would breach the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which provides that national minorities have the right to establish and organize their private educational institutions.

The government will not review the draft amendments to the Law on Higher Education Establishments. The draft amendments would provide that Latvian is the only official language of instruction in private universities. The deputy of the Harmony Center Boris Cilevich stated that if the draft amendments were approved they would breach the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which provides that national minorities have the right to establish and organize their private educational institutions. Vesti Segodnya

• Vaira Vike-Freiberga: a potential influx of guest workers poses threat to the survival of Latvians
• President of the NGO Russian Community in Latvia suggests 10 steps how to solve the Russian issue in Latvia
• Tatyana Zhdanok: the status of the EU permanent resident is a cheap alternative for Latvian non-citizens

In an interview with the daily

In an interview with the daily NRA (04.01.2006) the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that a possible influx of guest workers to Latvia poses threats to survival of the Latvian nation. It already was very difficult to achieve balance between the number of Latvian and non-Latvians in Riga… If a large number of immigrants comes to Latvia, chances for the Latvian nation to survive are rather minimal, said the President. Chas

Chas prints 10 steps how to deal with the ‘Russian issue in Latvia in five years suggested by the president of the NGO Russian Community in Latvia. The president of the NGO suggests the following measures: declare Orthodox Christmas a national holiday; provide an opportunity to address state institutions in Russian in both verbal and written forms; grant Latvian citizenship to all permanent residents of Latvia; establish a TV channel in the national television which would air only in Russian; declare the Russian language a second official language; ensure proportional representation of Russian deputies in all state institutions according to the number of Russian residents; grant the post of vice-premier to a representative of Russians; form a government where ministers representing the Russians would be presented according to the proportion of Russian residents in the country; implement double Latvian-Russian citizenship. Chas

The member of the European Parliament from the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) Tatyana Zhdanok considers that the draft law on the status of the EU permanent resident accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia “a cheap alternative for Latvian non-citizens instead of full-fledged citizenship.” She believes that receiving the status people will not have motivation to acquire Latvian citizenship.

The member of the European Parliament from the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) Tatyana Zhdanok considers that the draft law on the status of the EU permanent resident accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia a cheap alternative for Latvian non-citizens instead of full-fledged citizenship. She believes that receiving the status people will not have motivation to acquire Latvian citizenship. Chas

• The most popular parties in December were: New Era, FHRUL, and FF/LNIM

According to a public opinion survey conducted by "Latvijas fakti," the party New Era would receive 12.4% of votes, For Human Rights in United Latvia – 9.9%, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 8.7% if the Saeima elections were hold in December. The Peoples Party (8.4%), Union of Greens and Farmers (5.9%), and the union of Latvia's Way and Latvia's First Party (5.3%) would also pass the required 5 per cent barrier. However, 27.3 % of the respondents said that they have not decided which party they would give their vote, while 12.6 % consider not vote at all.According to a public opinion survey conducted by "Latvijas fakti," the party New Era would receive 12.4% of votes, For Human Rights in United Latvia – 9.9%, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 8.7% if the Saeima elections were hold in December. The People’s Party (8.4%), Union of Greens and Farmers (5.9%), and the union of Latvia's Way and Latvia's First Party (5.3%) would also pass the required 5 per cent barrier. However, 27.3 % of the respondents said that they have not decided which party they would give their vote, while 12.6 % consider not vote at all.

• OKROL asks to evaluate the observation of non-citizens rights in Latvia
• National bolshevik Benes Ayo ends the hunger strike

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) has sent a letter to the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the European Committee, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe with an appeal to evaluate the observation of non-citizens’ rights in Latvia. The OKROL considers that the status of the EU permanent resident should not be applied to Latvian non-citizens as they cannot be treated on the same basis as immigrants who have arrived in Latvia recently.

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) has sent a letter to the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the European Committee, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe with an appeal to evaluate the observation of non-citizens rights in Latvia. The OKROL considers that the status of the EU permanent resident should not be applied to Latvian non-citizens as they cannot be treated on the same basis as immigrants who have arrived in Latvia recently. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday, the leader of Latvian National Bolsheviks Benes Ayo, after being hospitalised, announced about the end of the 27-days hunger strike. Benes Ayo went on the hunger strike asking to drop criminal charges against him. As reported, he was charged for public calls to abolish the existing State regime with violent methods.

Yesterday, the leader of Latvian National Bolsheviks Benes Ayo, after being hospitalised, announced about the end of the 27-days hunger strike. Benes Ayo went on the hunger strike asking to drop criminal charges against him. As reported, he was charged for public calls to abolish the existing State regime with violent methods. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Concord Centre developed alternative draft-law on the grant of the EU permanent residents status
• Nils Muiznieks: the idea about the consent is not popular in the society
• Ambassador of Russia: Russia will use any methods to protect rights of its citizens in Latvia

The Saeima’s faction Concord Center has developed alternative draftlaw on granting the status of EU permanent resident for Latvian non-citizens. Members of the party consider that the draft law elaborated by the ruling parties is discriminatory against non-citizens, because it provides that non-citizens will have to demonstrate their state language skills and pay for the exam. The Head of The Concord Center Nils Ushakovs believes that the government tries to limit the rights of non-citizens , despite  appeals of international organizations to grant non-citizens additional rights.

The Saeimas faction Concord Center has developed alternative draftlaw on granting the status of EU permanent resident for Latvian non-citizens. Members of the party consider that the draft law elaborated by the ruling parties is discriminatory against non-citizens, because it provides that non-citizens will have to demonstrate their state language skills and pay for the exam. The Head of The Concord Center Nils Ushakovs believes that the government tries to limit the rights of non-citizens , despite appeals of international organizations to grant non-citizens additional rights. Chas, Telegraf

In an interview with

In an interview with Chas, integration expert Nils Muiznieks said that society in Latvia does not favour the idea about consolidated society. Nils Muiznieks states that so-called Latvian parties will be interested in addressing citizens who have acquired Latvian citizenship recently when their number increases and parties need their votes. However, Nils Muiznieks is convinced that Russian and Latvian nationalistic ideas will take place in the next Saeimas elections. He also argues that it is important to define historical moments which would bring Russians and Latvians together .

The Embassy of Russia in Latvia held a New Year’s  reception for representatives of non-governmental organizations representing Russian and other ethnic communities in Latvia. The Ambassador Victor Kalyuzhniy in his speech stated that Russia will continue to support its citizens in Latvia and will use any methods accepted by the international law to protect their rights.

The Embassy of Russia in Latvia held a New Years reception for representatives of non-governmental organizations representing Russian and other ethnic communities in Latvia. The Ambassador Victor Kalyuzhniy in his speech stated that Russia will continue to support its citizens in Latvia and will use any methods accepted by the international law to protect their rights. Chas